195 episodes
Taking Off The Mask Ashanti Branch
-
- Health & Fitness
-
-
4.9 • 36 Ratings
-
Taking Off The Mask is an experience of getting real. Providing young men and men a space to have real conversations about life, challenges, joys, heartbreak, dreams, failures, and whatever is ready to be revealed. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support
-
191. Education Monthly #3: Video Games, Core Values, and Designing School for Students who Hate School
Donofriend, or Donovan Taylor Hall, joins Ashanti Branch, a master educator with 20+ years of experience in schools, to talk about what they are reflecting on as educators and what they’re seeing in the halls of modern-day schools. Donovan is an experienced teacher and positive youth development expert who travels around the country speaking at schools and pushing into classrooms. Learn more about him in episode 152.
Topics include: video games, core values, extrinsic/intrinsic motivation, “call-out” vs. “call-in”, “book smart” vs. “street smart”, being a warm demander, and shared humanity amongst teachers and students.
(0:00) Welcome!
(1:30) Donovan and Ashanti introduce themselves.
(4:00) Student behavior, engagement, and distractions
(7:00) Video games and what they teach us about students
(11:00) Making education entertaining
(15:00) Extrinsic vs. intrinsic motivation
(17:00) Core values
(25:00) Safe vs. unsafe schools; accountability
(30:00) Warm demander - running out of warm
(34:00) When to “call-out” students, and desire for attention
(40:00) “Book smart” vs. “Street smart”
(43:00) Getting teachers more classroom management tools
(45:00) Teachers showing humanity; dropping ego
---
Connect with Donovan Taylor Hall:
Website: www.donovantaylorhall.com
Instagram, TikTok, Youtube: @donofriend
Join our 5k Challenge: https://charity.pledgeit.org/20thAnnualEF5KChallenge
Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/
Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com
---
Connect with Ashanti Branch:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/
Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/
---
Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support
---
Connect with Ever Forward Club:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support -
190. College Roommates, Dorm Room Snakes, & Self-Esteem, with Charles Smith, Recruitment Manager, PhD Candidate, & Lifelong Learner
Charles is a Christian, a father of two, a Recruitment Manager, and Ashanti’s COLLEGE ROOMATE! Charles loves helping people advance in their careers and developing a strategy for life. He’s currently spending much of his time outside of work studying for a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Topics include: being diagnosed with ADHD, leaving Los Angeles for Wisconsin and how changing environments can change lives, raising snakes in a college dorm, feeding snakes (with rodents!) in a college dorm, food stamps in college, negative self-talk and how it affects student behavior, 30 years of friendship, and self-esteem.
(0:00) Intro
(6:20) Charles introduces himself
(5:54) How Ashanti and Charles met
(11:30) Front of Charles’s mask
(12:49) Front of Ashanti's mask
(16:40) Ashanti’s snake story
(20:15) Food stamps in college
(25:50) Charles growing up in LA
(34:30) Back of Charles’s mask
(43:20) Back of Ashanti's mask
(48:00) Self-esteem and self-image
(51:35) California college tour memories
(54:20) Charles is a “cactus friend”
(55:00) Closing and "main character syndrome"
---
Connect with Charles Smith:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Careerengineer4u
---
Join our 5k Challenge: https://charity.pledgeit.org/20thAnnualEF5KChallenge
Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/
Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com
---
Connect with Ashanti Branch:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/
Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/
---
Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support
---
Connect with Ever Forward Club:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support -
189. Self-Talk, Ketamine, Border Wars, & Everything In Between - w/ Johnny Cole, Men's Work Leader, Community Builder, Mentor
Johnny is the 26-year-old founder of Hey Brother Co., a men's work organization committed to reshaping the contemporary narrative of masculinity to promote a safer, more abundant world for all. As a survivor of domestic violence and a rigidly patriarchal upbringing, Johnny prides himself on his ability to transmute his painful lived experiences and traumas into opportunities for others to heal.
Topics include: Having a father in the South African Border War & “Murder Battalion”; ketamin-assisted mirror work; negative self-talk; teaching in America vs. more appreciative countries; and Andrew Tate, Jordan Peterson, and young men.
(0:00 Intro
(6:20) Johnny introduces himself
(8:25) Front of Ashanti’s mask
(10:46) Switching from the traditional “wealth path” to teaching
(17:08) Front of Johnny’s mask - and wearing CPTSD on the front of his mask20:24 Being our own worst friend
(24:44) Back of Ashanti’s mask
(27:40) Back of Johnny’s mask - ketamin-assisted mirror work and negative self-talk
(31:55) Throwing away old recordings, literal and figurative
(38:04) Johnny’s observations about young men
(39:14) What’s up with young men
(45:34) Johnny’s background with abuse, patriarchy, and ultimately healing
(54:19) Closing
---
Connect with Johnny Cole:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heybrotherjohnny/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heybrotherco/
Website: http://heybrotherco.com
---
Join our 5k Challenge: https://charity.pledgeit.org/20thAnnualEF5KChallenge
Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/
Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com
---
Connect with Ashanti Branch:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/
Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/
---
Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support
---
Connect with Ever Forward Club:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support -
188. The Code-Switching Alchemist - with Wesley Spence, Entrepreneur, Barber, Clothing Designer
In this episode of Taking off the Mask, host Ashanti Branch welcomes Wesley Spence. Wesley is a 19-year-old entrepreneur, barber, and owner/operator of a clothing brand called iconicc22. Is comparison truly the thief of joy? Wesley and Ashanti delve into topics such as self-awareness, personal growth, and the journey to becoming the best version of oneself while finding common ground as entrepreneurs and fans of the book “The Alchemist.”
(0:00) Intro
(9:40) Front of Ashanti’s Mask. What he lets people see
(12:40) Front of Wesley’s Mask. What he lets people see.
(18:00) Back of Ashanti’s Mask. What he doesn’t let people see.
(21:30) Back of Wesley’s Mask. What he doesn’t let people see.
(23:20) Comparison being the thief of joy, while building a business
(24:30) Talking about the book “The Alchemist”
(29:05) Stoicism and how Wesley embraces it
(33:54) What’s happening with young men in Wesley’s community?
(46:00) Wrapping up and Wesley’s message to young people
---
Connect with Wesley Spence:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ww3sleyy
Get a Haircut!: https://www.instagram.com/yeswescutss/
Clothing: https://www.instagram.com/iconicc22/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@userarchive22
Join our 5k Challenge: https://charity.pledgeit.org/20thAnnualEF5KChallenge
Create your own mask anonymously at https://millionmask.org/
Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com
---
Connect with Ashanti Branch:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BranchSpeaks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/
Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/
---
Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support
---
Connect with Ever Forward Club:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/everforwardclub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support -
187. Trevor Taylor - on Nonviolent Communication, Process over Outcome, Think-Feel-Do, & Becoming a Leader
This is one of the rare episodes where we did not make or share masks… But we sure did feel them come off. Trevor Taylor is back for part 2! (Listen to Part 1) Join Ashanti and Trevor as they explore nonviolent communication, how to communicate effectively to build community, the Think Feel Do methodology, and attachment to the process instead of the outcome.
Trevor brings over nine years of dedicated practice to the mat, seamlessly blending strength and grace in his dynamic Vinyasa flows. Beyond yoga, Trevor is a content creator, sharing mindfulness techniques, motivation, and glimpses into his personal yoga journey with a global community.
(0:00) Intro
(7:30) Trevor’s work bringing movement, mindfulness, and meditation to both online and local communities that need it
(16:30) Trevor’s rose and thorn
(21:18) Ashanti’s rose and thorn
(24:38) Is there anywhere you are fully known?
(24:47) Trevor talks about his relationship with his partner
(31:33) Nonviolent communication
(38:23) Attachment to the outcome vs. the process, and anger
(50:21) Think, Feel, Do methodology
(54:33) Closing and gratitude
---
Connect with Trevor Taylor:
The Sanctuary: https://sunsolesanctuary.com/
Website: https://pillar.io/justliketrevor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justliketrevor/
---
Sign Up for the 20th Annual 5k Challenge: https://charity.pledgeit.org/20thAnnualEF5KChallenge
---
Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org
Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com
---
Connect with Ashanti Branch:
Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks
Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks
Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch
Website: branchspeaks.com
---
Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support
---
Connect with Ever Forward Club:
Instagram: instagram.com/everforward
Facebook: facebook.com/everforwardclub
Twitter: twitter.com/everforwardclub
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support -
186. LIVE from SXSW! - Education Monthly #2: What’s up with young men?! / The cultural disconnect between adults and youth at schools
Live from SXSW 2024! Ashanti Branch, Wenceslao Soto Sanchez, Johnathan Pugh Jr., and Ryan Louie take the stage and the education landscape head-on by considering the questions: What’s up with young men? How does the way we present our identity affect the climate and culture of our schools? Through a profound conversation facilitated by a 20-year master educator, a filmmaker, and two high school boys with diverse perspectives, they gain insight into the challenges of marginalized communities in education and the importance of emotional well-being. They and the audience realize the change necessary to create healthy environments for your community and bear witness to what is possible when students and teachers recognize their shared humanity.
(00:00) Welcome
(06:15) Wenceslao’s background
(07:05) Johnathan’s background
(07:48) Ryan’s background
(09:10) Johnathan’s journey
(13:38) Wenceslao’s journey
(16:28) Why men have a hard time talking about their feelings
(18:21) How kids are different now versus in the past
(22:52) What are adults getting right/wrong?
(36:02) Mask activity
(44:45) Q&A
---
Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org
Email us questions and comments at totmpod100@gmail.com
---
Connect with Ashanti Branch:
Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks
Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks
Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch
Website: branchspeaks.com
---
Support the podcast and the work of the Ever Forward Club: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support
---
Connect with Ever Forward Club:
Instagram: instagram.com/everforward
Facebook: facebook.com/everforwardclub
Twitter: twitter.com/everforwardclub
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/support
Customer Reviews
A breath of fresh air for anyone looking to explore what it means to be a man today.
Ashanti fosters a safe space for men to have real conversations about the things that matter: challenges, heartbreak, dreams, and everything in between. Through insightful interviews, the podcast dives deep into topics like modern masculinity, vulnerability, self-love, and developing a strong mindset. It's a must-listen for any guy looking to go beyond the mask and live a more authentic life.
Imagining what could be…
One of your lady listeners chiming in here! Thank you for bringing authentic conversations among men and giving them space to be true and real. Thank you for giving the world a glimpse of what CAN be if we all took off our masks more often. I’m imagining the power of community. I’m imagining the love of connections. I’m imagining the eradication of fear and therefore oppression! Can you see it? I believe it’s possible and the work of Taking Off The Mask is bringing it to the surface. Deepest Gratitude.
Fantastic and important
Great host, great guests (LOVED the one w/ Jason Kyle but hey I’m biased), AND, important conversations that propel us forward and make our world a better place. Thank you Ashanti for all that you do!